Gus

Meet Gus!<br/><br/>***Foster Family Update!***<br/><br/>Gus is an incredibly sweet boy who seems to have had a bit of a rocky start in life. When he first arrived, he was described as "shy," and while that's partly true, it's become clear that he's really just still learning how to feel safe and trust the people around him. He approaches the world with a bit of caution, but once he begins to feel comfortable, his gentle and affectionate nature really shines through.<br/><br/>He does especially well when he has another dog around for reassurance. Living with my German Shepherd, Max, has been a huge help for him-Gus clearly takes comfort in having a confident canine companion nearby, and it's been wonderful to watch him gain confidence by following Max's lead.<br/><br/>Gus is also a bit of a shadow dog in the sweetest way. He enjoys being close to his people and prefers to be in the same room whenever possible. If Max is nearby, Gus is usually right there too, soaking up the sense of safety and companionship.<br/><br/>In terms of training, he's still very much at the beginning of his learning journey. He doesn't yet know basic cues like "sit," "down," or "wait," but he's eager to learn and responds well to gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. With patience, consistency, and a calm environment, he has all the potential to grow into a confident, loyal companion.<br/><br/>Gus would do best in a home that understands his need for reassurance, is willing to go at his pace, and ideally has another friendly dog to help show him the ropes. With the right family, he's sure to continue blossoming into the wonderful dog he's meant to be.<br/><br/>Gus is one of three beautiful adult English Shepherds who recently joined our program after being rescued from an uncertain situation on the Warm Springs reservation. Thanks to a compassionate woman who quietly devotes her time and personal resources to helping dogs in need, Gus and his companions received safety, veterinary care, and a chance at a brighter future when their previous owner entered rehab.<br/><br/>English Shepherds are an incredibly smart and loyal herding breed, and this dog truly embodies that thoughtful, devoted nature. He's still a bit timid as he adjusts to all the recent changes in his life, but he's settling in and showing more of his sweet personality each day. With time, patience, and a calm environment, Gus will continue to decompress and gain confidence as he prepares for his lucky new foster or adoptive family.<br/><br/>Because of his breed and his gentle, cautious disposition, familiarity or experience with English Shepherds - or similar herding and working breeds - is highly recommended. These dogs thrive with structure, understanding, and a steady presence, and Gus will blossom with someone who appreciates the unique needs and incredible rewards of a herding dog.<br/><br/>***Gus - a sweet, gentle pup who's looking for a calm home and a patient person to call his<br/>own.<br/><br/>Gus came from a tough background and was originally labeled "shy," but what he really is... is<br/>cautious and sensitive. He's still learning that people can be safe, kind, and predictable. With<br/>a little time and consistency, he's already making great progress-he's now taking treats from<br/>my hand and will accept calm affection when he's relaxed.<br/>One of Gus's best qualities is how well he does with other dogs. He gets along great with my<br/>German Shepherd, Max, and I truly think Gus would thrive in a home with a confident canine<br/>buddy. He also has a little FOMO and likes to stay close by-if you're in the room, he wants to<br/>be nearby, quietly keeping you company.<br/>The basics:<br/> Great with other dogs<br/> Food-motivated (treats are a big win!)<br/> House training is going well (initial accidents were nerves-now he only goes outside)<br/> Sleeps through the night and holds his bladder with no issues<br/> Enjoys walks and hikes and walks nicely without excessive pulling<br/>What Gus needs:<br/>Gus will do best with an adopter who understands that trust takes time. He can be nervous if<br/>someone approaches too quickly or stands over him. A calm home, gentle energy, and letting<br/>him come to you will go a long way.<br/>Training will come as his confidence grows-right now we're building the foundation. He's<br/>already working on recall on a long lead and "wait" at street crossings.<br/>If you're the kind of person who believes in patience, soft wins, and seeing a dog blossom over<br/>time, Gus will be incredibly rewarding. He's a good boy with a big heart-he just needs<br/>someone who will let him feel safe enough to show it.<br/><br/>It's important that this pup's future home understands that rescue pups need patience and time to decompress and adjust to new routines, experiences, and environments. As with most rescue dogs, training, continued socialization, clear boundaries, structure, and plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation (yes, even puppy brain games!) will be essential to help them thrive.<br/><br/>Stay tuned for new photos and updates as we continue to learn more about this pup's personality - but one thing's for sure: this sweet pup will soon be ready to begin his/her new adventure and will bring endless love and joy to a very lucky home.<br/><br/>If you've been thinking about adding a new furry friend to your family, don't wait! Submit your adoption application today for a chance to meet this amazing pup, start a flexible 3 day in-home adoption trial, and maybe even welcome this sweet boy into your life for good.<br/><br/>Could this pup be your next loyal companion? Apply right away to be their lucky new hero!<br/><br/>steps to adopting<br/><br/>(OUR ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE IN SEPARATE TEMPORARY FOSTER HOMES BETWEEN BEND/CENTRAL OREGON AND THE GREATER PORTLAND AREA. THEREFORE, MEET AND GREETS ARE NOT DONE AT OUR FACILITY. TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ADOPTION APPLICATION ONLINE AND OUR ADOPTION PROGRAM MANAGER WILL REACH OUT TO YOU WITH FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MEET YOUR NEW PUP!)<br/><br/>The first step to adopting a dog from SDH is to complete the adoption application. First click on the "OUR DOGS tab up above, and then click on the orange colored "Fill out an Adoption Application here" button to start the process). Once submitted, please expect 3-5 business days or sooner for processing and to hear back from us. Once you are pre-approved, your adoption application will remain on file with us for 1 year and it can go towards multiple adoptions within that 1 year time frame before it expires.<br/><br/>To finalize an adoption you must sign the adoption contract and pay the full adoption fee. The adoption fee helps cover our costs. On average, per dog, it costs SDH between $500-$700 for vetting/medical/sterilization, transport and other rescue related expenses. All dogs are rescued and do not transport to SDH until they are healthy and ready to be adopted. All dogs are examined by a veterinarian before they fly, which includes sterilization whenever possible, given standard vaccines and rabies (if age appropriate). Most dogs are sterilized before they come into our program, however if this is not the case we will spay/neuter them once they arrive at our cost.<br/><br/>Upon their arrival, all dogs are seen for a wellness exam by SDH's medical team. Once the adoption is finalized, any further medical care or treatment will not be covered by SDH, unless discussed prior with our medical team. All known issues are disclosed to the best of our ability prior to finalizing the adoption.

Meet Gus!

***Foster Family Update!***

Gus is an incredibly sweet boy who seems to have had a bit of a rocky start in life. When he first arrived, he was described as "shy," and while that's partly true, it's become clear that he's really just still learning how to feel safe and trust the people around him. He approaches the world with a bit of caution, but once he begins to feel comfortable, his gentle and affectionate nature really shines through.

He does especially well when he has another dog around for reassurance. Living with my German Shepherd, Max, has been a huge help for him-Gus clearly takes comfort in having a confident canine companion nearby, and it's been wonderful to watch him gain confidence by following Max's lead.

Gus is also a bit of a shadow dog in the sweetest way. He enjoys being close to his people and prefers to be in the same room whenever possible. If Max is nearby, Gus is usually right there too, soaking up the sense of safety and companionship.

In terms

Meet Gus!

***Foster Family Update!***

Gus is an incredibly sweet boy who seems to have had a bit of a rocky start in life. When he first arrived, he was described as "shy," and while that's partly true, it's become clear that he's really just still learning how to feel safe and trust the people around him. He approaches the world with a bit of caution, but once he begins to feel comfortable, his gentle and affectionate nature really shines through.

He does especially well when he has another dog around for reassurance. Living with my German Shepherd, Max, has been a huge help for him-Gus clearly takes comfort in having a confident canine companion nearby, and it's been wonderful to watch him gain confidence by following Max's lead.

Gus is also a bit of a shadow dog in the sweetest way. He enjoys being close to his people and prefers to be in the same room whenever possible. If Max is nearby, Gus is usually right there too, soaking up the sense of safety and companionship.

In terms of training, he's still very much at the beginning of his learning journey. He doesn't yet know basic cues like "sit," "down," or "wait," but he's eager to learn and responds well to gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. With patience, consistency, and a calm environment, he has all the potential to grow into a confident, loyal companion.

Gus would do best in a home that understand